Governor Dickson Woos More Investors To Bayelsa

…Says Bayelsa Is World’s Best Kept Investment Secret

The investment drive of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has continued to yield positive results, as more investors have indicated interest in investing in the state, in Agriculture, Tourism as well as in the Oil & Gas sectors. 

This according to a press statement signed by the Governor's Chief  Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo was the outcome of Governor Dickson's presentation  at the 6th edition of the Africa Chief Executive Officers, CEO Forum currently holding in Abidjan, the capital of Cote D' Voire.

Dickson, who described Bayelsa State as world's best kept investment secret, called on African entrepreneurs to take advantage of the investment-friendly atmosphere created by his government to do business in the state, largely regarded as the epicentre of Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. 

He said his participation at the Africa CEO Forum was meant to unveil those investment secrets, by promoting the investment opportunities in the Bayelsa to the world.

The Governor said, the state is safe, peaceful and it is now ready to do business with the rest of the world, more than ever before. He said this prevailing conducive investment climate created by his Restoration Government has made investors to now have a high return on investments (ROI) in Bayelsa State.    

Speaking on the topic: "Gas, A $2000BN Opportunity," the Governor said, "Bayelsa State is synonymous with gas, because there is gas everywhere and as you all know, the history of Oil & Gas started in my state."  While stressing that, the investment potentials of the state are yet to be fully tapped, he listed Tourism, Agriculture, Gas, Deep Sea Port and Eco-Industrial Park as top areas, where his government want to partner with investors.       

To encourage investors to put their money in the Eco- Industrial Park, the Governor said, his government has acquired massive land for which compensations have been paid for and designated for the Bayelsa Eco-industrial Park. 

He said: "This implies that investors no longer need to go through the rigours of searching for land. Relevant policies have also been put in place to safeguard investors and their investments as well. Appropriate stakeholders have been engaged to stand as intermediaries between the host communities and the investors.

Bayelsa State produces over 40% of the gas produced in Nigeria, so we have gas in abundance. We have already commenced the siting of mini power plants close to the source of the gas and investors can take advantage of this huge opportunity. Bayelsa State is at peace with itself, Bayelsa State is safe, peaceful and ready to do business with the rest of the world... "

Chief amongst participants at the event are President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, President Alassane Ouattara of cote d'Ivoire and former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Others are Stephanie von Friederberg, Chief operating officer, IFC, Akinwumi Adesina, President of Africa Development Bank, Paul Polman, CEO Unilever, Thierry Tanoh, Minister of Petroleum, Energy Development of Cote d'Ivoire, Guido Brusco, Executive Vice-President, Sub-Saharan Africa Region, Eni, Nigeria's Business magnets, Jim Ovia, Wale Tinubu and many others.